Fire-escape and fireman s ladder



w A A llllllmml-lllllmmill (No Model.)

l W. P. LOYD.

EIDE ESCAPE AND EIEEMANS LADDER.

Patented June 14; 1892.-

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

WILLIAM F. LOYD, OF CANAL DOVER, OHIO.

FIRE-ESCAPE AND FIREMANS LADDER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 476,885, dated June 14, 1892.

Application filed December 4, 1891. Serial No. 414,031. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom, t may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. LOYD, of Canal Dover, in the countyof Tuscarawas and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire Escapes and Firemens Ladders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in lire-escapes, and more especially to a combined fire-escape and firemans ladder adapted to be permanently applied to the side of a building; and it consists in certain features of construction and in combination of parts hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a building provided with my improved fire-escape and remans ladder. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the upper portion of the fire-escape. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the lower portion of the same; and Fig. At is a transverse section looking downward, a portion being broken away in Fig. 2 to more clearly show the construction.

A represents a building that near the cornice or eave is provided with a fixed rail B.

My improved reescape comprises an upright supporting-frame parallel with the side of the building, C representing the longitudinal or upright members of the frame. Members C at either side of the frame are connected top and bottom by cross-pieces C and intermediatel y by one or more cross-pieces, as at C2. Members C are also braced, as at C3. Cross pieces C afford bearing, respectively, for a shaftorspindle D. Spindles D have mounted thereon at either end, preferably, a sprocketwheel E, the wheels on one shaft or spindle being connected with t-he respective wheel on the other spindle or shaft by an endless chain F, and chains F are connected by rounds Gr, thus constituting an endless ladder, the rounds being secured in any suitable manner. The supporting-frame at the rear and above the windows in the uppermost story of the building is provided with a trolley or traveler H, that is adapted to travel on track B. Menibers C at the rear side of the su pporting-frame have, respectively, between the different stories of the building a rearwardly-projecting eier H. Vith such construction any unsteadiness or swaying of the device is prevented, and, except in buildings of uncommon height, the device can be moved with great -facility from one place to another along the building. Members C of the supporting-frame, it will be observed, inclose the endlesschains on three sides-front, rear, and outer side-as shown more clearly in Fig. 4, being preferably made of channel -iron, by which construction the endless chain is prevented from swaying in either direction.

By means of the endless ladder the device may be ascended or descended on the front or rear side, as desired. It is intended, however, that occupants of the building descend on the side adjacent to the building, and hence the device should be located about eighteen inches from the building, the opposite or front side being more especially intended for the use of firemen in getting to or from the roof 'of the building.

Some suitable means is preferably provided for locking the ladder-that is, preventing it from moving in either direction-and to this end shaft or spindle D at the lower end of the device, and preferably just outside cross-piece C,has rigidly mounted thereon ratchet-wheels K K', cross-piece C being provided with pawls L L for engaging the respective ratchetwheels. Said spindles should also be provided with a crank, as at IWI, by manipulating which motion may be communicated to the endless ladder when the pawls aforesaid are disengaged from the respective ratchetwheels,aud hence the ladder should extend suiiiciently near the ground, so that the crank M will be within convenient reach from the ground or from a chair placed on the ground.

On buildings of considerable height, where it would be ditlicult to push the device by hand from one place to another, I provide a rope or cable, as at R, adapted to Wind upon a drum or Windlass W, located near a lower corner of the building within convenient access from the ground, the rope or cable thence leading over pulleys P, as shown, and connecting With the supporting-frame of the de- IOO vice, as at R', with the arrangement such that, according as the windlass or drum is rotated in the one direction or the other, the device will be moved in the direction desired along the side of the building.

Although I have shown railB for trolley or traveler H on but one side of the building, it is evident that the same can he extended around the building, if desired.

It will readily be observed that my improved device not only possesses all the requirements of a firemans ladder and lire-escape, but is always ready for use, and the simplicity of construction renders it comparatively inexpensive.

What I claim isl. In a lire-escape, the combination,with a rail secured to the side of the building, of an upright supporting-f rame carrying an endless ladder and having connected therewith a trol-4 ley or traveler mounted on said rail, said supporting-frame comprising longitudinal or up right members, and cross-pieces connecting i said longitudinal members, substantially as indicated, the longitudinal members having rearwardly-extending arms or brackets carrying rollers in contact with the building, and said longitudinal members inclosing theside pieces of the endless ladder on three sides, thereby preventing the swaying of the ladder in either direction, substantially as set forth.

2. In a fire-escape, the combination, with a rail secured to the side of the building, of an upright supporting-frame carrying an endless ladder and having connected therewith a trolley or traveler mounted on said rail, said supporting-frame comprising longitudinal or upg right members, and cross-pieces connecting 

